Load-bearing belt

ABSTRACT

A load-bearing belt for use with a hiking backpack or the like, particularly for female users, is provided. The load-bearing belt includes a back portion and two side portions. The two side portions extend downward from the back portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/859,990, filed on Jul. 30, 2013, which isincorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

The field of this disclosure relates generally to a belt used tofacilitate carrying a load on the back of a user (e.g., a hiker), and,more particularly, some aspects of this disclosure relate to aload-bearing belt used to transfer the weight of a backpack or the liketo a hiker's hips.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional hiking backpack, generally indicatedat 10, used to distribute the weight of a load inside the backpack to auser's hips when the backpack is worn. The backpack 10 comprises a bag12, a support structure 14 (e.g., an internal frame) for supporting thebag, a shoulder harness 16 for releasably securing the backpack aroundthe shoulders of a user wearing the backpack, and a waistbelt 18 forreleasably securing the backpack around the user's waist. The supportstructure 14, the shoulder harness 16, and/or the waistbelt 18 may beadjustable such that the backpack 10 form fits to the user when thebackpack is worn. For example, the support structure 14, the shoulderharness 16, and/or the waistbelt 18 may be adjusted such that most ofthe weight of the load contained within the bag 12 of backpack 10 isdistributed to a user's hips via the waistbelt.

As is more readily seen in FIGS. 2-3B, the waistbelt 18 generallycomprises a back portion 20 and two side portions 22, 24. The backportion 20 is secured to the bag 12 and/or the support structure 14 ofthe backpack 10 and is disposed near a user's lower back when wearingthe backpack. The side portions 22, 24 extend outwardly from the backportion 20 in a generally horizontal and slightly upwards direction (asviewed in FIG. 2), and are configured to wrap around the torso of a userwhen the backpack 10 is worn. More particularly, the side portions 22,24 are configured to be wrapped snug against a user's waist near oraround the user's ilium (pelvic bone) 26, as best seen in FIG. 3B, andsecured using a buckle 19 or the like. In such a configuration, theweight of a load within the bag 12 may be distributed through thesupport structure 14 to the waistbelt 18 and ultimately the user's hips,thus reducing the strain placed on the user's back, shoulders, and thelike.

The conventional waistbelt 18 is typically unisex (i.e., intended foruse by either a male or female user), although relative dimensions,etc., of the waistbelt may be adjusted depending on a targeted user ofthe waistbelt. For example, a width of the waistbelt 18 (i.e., adimension of the waistbelt from a top edge 34 of the waistbelt to abottom edge 36 of the waistbelt) may be narrower when the waistbelt isadapted to be worn by a female than when the waistbelt is adapted to beworn by a male. Nonetheless, even if the waistbelt 18 is adapted for afemale user (by, e.g., reducing the width), it may be generallyuncomfortable when ultimately worn. Specifically, general differences inmale and female anatomy may result in the waistbelt 18 being ill-suitedfor a female regardless of whether or not the waistbelt is adapted for afemale user (e.g., made smaller in a length or width direction than asimilarly-designed waistbelt provided for a male user).

This may be more readily understood with reference to FIGS. 4-6. FIGS.4, 5, and 6 illustrate a top view, a front view, and a side view,respectively, of a female hip structure 32 and a male hip structure 38.As depicted in FIGS. 4-6, the female's hip structure 32 is tiltedforward and out as compared to the male's hip structure 38. That is, thefemale's ilium 26 is provided more forward and more outward than amale's ilium 44, as can be most readily seen in FIG. 6. Morespecifically, a typical female's pelvis is tilted further in theanterior direction (i.e., a direction referring to the front of thepelvis being tilted down and away from the spine) than a male's pelvis.For example, a typical female's pelvis may experience a normal anteriorpelvic tilt in the range of six to ten degrees, while a typical male'spelvis may experience a normal anterior pelvic tilt in the range of oneto five degrees. Further, the female's ilium 26 is wider in a directionextending from her bottommost rib 28 to her hip joint 30 than the male'silium 44 in a similar direction (i.e., a direction extending from hisbottommost rib 46 to his hip joint 48). Finally, a female's ilium 26 isprovided very near her bottommost rib 28 (e.g., on average within twoinches) while a male's ilium 44 is located much further away from hisbottommost rib 46 (e.g., on average more than four inches).

These general differences in male and female anatomy result in aconventional waistbelt 18 being ill-suited for a female user. Forexample, and returning to FIG. 3B, when a female wears the backpack 10including the conventional waistbelt 18, the waistbelt is secured aroundthe female's waist. At such a position, the waistbelt 18 is positionedwell above the user's hip joint 30 and around a top of her ilium 26 andadjacent her bottom rib 28. Such a location may cause general discomfortfor the female user. Further, the conventional waistbelt 18 may ride upto the user's natural waist, resulting in general annoyance during ahike or the like as the user may need to, e.g., frequently stop andadjust a location of the conventional waistbelt.

Even further, the conventional waistbelt 18 may not properly stabilize afemale user's pelvis as it would a male's, thus adversely affecting herstride while walking or hiking This may be more readily understood withreference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the female hipstructure 32 and the male hip structure 38. Depicted adjacent to eachhip structure 32, 38 is a representation of a location where theconventional waistbelt 18 (and more particularly the side portions 22,24 of the conventional waistbelt) is located for a typical male andfemale user of the waistbelt. As illustrated, when used by a typicalmale, the side portions 22, 24 of the waistbelt 18 generally sit on anoutside of the male's ilium 44, causing a weight of the backpack 10 andits corresponding load to be transferred generally downward on theuser's hips as depicted by weight transfer arrows 52. Thus, whenwalking, hiking, etc., the weight of the backpack 10 is generallysupported by the user's hips while his pelvis is generally stabilized bythe waistbelt 18.

However, when worn by a typical female user, the side portions 22, 24 ofthe waistbelt 18 generally sit on top of the female's ilium 26, and, insome configurations, may tend to “ride up” to the female's natural waistwhen worn. In such a configuration, and unlike the weight transferbenefits provided to the male user as discussed, the waistbelt 18 causesa destabilizing effect, with the weight of the backpack 10 and itscorresponding load transferred side to side as the user moves. This isgenerally depicted by weight transfer arrows 50. More specifically, andas will be appreciated by those having skill in the art, a typicalfemale's pelvis moves in a figure-eight motion when the female iswalking normally without wearing, e.g., the backpack 10 and/or thewaistbelt 18. However, when wearing the backpack 10 with the waistbelt18, the weight of the backpack and any load contained therein istransferred side to side on the top of the female's ilium 26,prohibiting her pelvis from moving in the appropriate figure-eightmotion. Rather, the female's pelvis is destabilized with the weight ofthe backpack 10 and its load transferred side to side as depicted byweight transfer arrows 50. This destabilizing effect causes a female toexpend more energy just to, e.g., walk and stand up straight. Thus,female users of the conventional waistbelt 18 may become easily fatiguedand experience an overall “trudging” feeling while carrying a load.

In view of the above drawbacks of the conventional waistbelt 18, thereremains a need for an improved load-bearing belt which eliminates one ormore of the above problems experienced by female users. Moreparticularly, there remains a need for a load-bearing belt which doesnot constrict a user's ribs and/or waist area when worn. Further, thereremains a need for a load-bearing belt which does not ride up on afemale user, thus reducing the need for adjustments to the belt during ahike or the like. Even further, there remains a need for an improvedload-bearing belt which stabilizes a female's pelvis during use thusreducing fatigue and/or a trudging feeling traditionally experienced bya female user during hikes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a load-bearing belt generally comprises a back portionand two side portions. The two side portions generally extend downwardfrom the back portion.

In another aspect, a load-bearing belt configured to transfer the weightof a backpack to a user's hips is provided. The load-bearing beltgenerally comprises a back portion configured to be disposed near alower back of a user, and two side portions. Each side portion extendsfrom the back portion and is configured to be releasably secured arounda corresponding hip of the user when the load-bearing belt is worn. Eachside portion extends generally downward from the back portion such that,when each side portion is releasably secured around the correspondinghip, the side portion is disposed below the user's iliac crest and abovethe user's hip joint.

In yet another aspect, a backpack generally comprises a bag configuredto house a load, a support structure for the bag, a shoulder harnessconfigured to releasably secure the backpack around a user's shoulders,and a load-bearing belt. The load-bearing belt is configured toreleasably secure the backpack around the user's hips such that, whensecured, at least a portion of the load is supported by the user's hips.The load-bearing belt generally comprises a back portion secured to atleast one of the bag and the support structure and configured to bedisposed near a lower back of the user, and two side portions. Each sideportion extends generally downward from the back portion such that, whenthe backpack is releasably secured around the user's hips, each sideportion is disposed below an iliac crest and above a hip joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a prior art backpack provided with aconventional waistbelt.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the conventional waistbelt provided on thebackpack of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a side view and front view, respectively, of afemale using the backpack of FIG. 1 with the conventional waistbelt ofFIG. 2 secured around her waist.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a typical female and male hip structure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the typical female and male hip structuresillustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the typical female and male hip structuresillustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the typical female and male hip structuresillustrated in FIG. 4 depicted with a representation of a location ofthe conventional waistbelt of FIG. 2 when used by a typical female andmale user, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a front view of one embodiment of a load-bearing beltaccording to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic comparing an angle of the side portions of theload-bearing belt of FIG. 8 with an angle of the side portions of theconventional waistbelt of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the typical female hip structure illustratedin FIG. 4 depicted with a representation of a location of theload-bearing belt of FIG. 8 when used by a typical female user, and afront view of the typical male hip structure illustrated in FIG. 4depicted with a representation of a location of the conventionalwaistbelt of FIG. 2 when used by a typical male user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning now to FIG. 8, a load-bearing belt 118 according to one suitableembodiment is provided which overcomes one or more of the drawbacks ofthe conventional waistbelt 18 discussed above. In the depictedembodiment, the load-bearing belt 118 comprises a back portion 120 andtwo side portions 122, 124. The back portion 120 may be secured to thebackpack 10 and/or the support structure 14 of the backpack and maygenerally be disposed near a user's lower back when the backpack isworn. In such a position, the back portion 120 may provide lumbarsupport for a user when the backpack 10 is worn. The side portions 122,124 generally extend outwardly and downwardly from the back portion 120,and are configured to be securely wrapped around a user' hip structurewhen the backpack 10 is worn. For example, the side portions 122, 124are configured to be wrapped around a user and secured using, e.g., abuckle (not shown but similar to buckle 19). In such a configuration,when the load bearing belt 118 is provided on a backpack 10 or the like,the weight of the backpack and/or a load within the bag 12 may bedistributed through the support structure 14 to the load-bearing beltand ultimately to the user's lower body (e.g., hips) thus reducing thestrain placed on the user's back, shoulders, etc.

When provided on the hiking backpack 10 or the like, the load-bearingbelt 118 does not cause many of the problems for female users as arecaused by the conventional waistbelt 18 discussed above. For example,the side portions 122, 124 of load-bearing belt 118 extend generallyoutwardly and downwardly (rather than generally horizontally andupwardly) from the back portion 120 of the load-bearing belt. Thus, whenworn (with the back portion 120 disposed near a user's lower back) theside portions 120, 122 extend generally downwardly from the back portionand wrap around the sides of the user (e.g., around a user's hipstructure) at a location lower than a location of side portions 20, 22of the conventional waistbelt 18.

This may be more readily understood with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 isa schematic overlaying the conventional waistbelt 18 with theload-bearing belt 118 according to some embodiments of the disclosure toillustrate the relative angular positions of the side portions of each.More particularly, the waistbelt 18 is overlaid with the load-bearingbelt 118 with a horizontal axis 54 and a vertical axis 56 intersectingat a right angle at the center of each. As seen, an angle that the sideportions 22, 24 of the conventional waistbelt 18 form with the verticalaxis 56 is less than ninety degrees. More particularly, a centerline(not shown) of each of the side portions 22, 24 is angled upward fromthe horizontal axis 54. This leads to the waistbelt 18 being ill-suitedfor a female user, as discussed above.

However, the side portions 122, 124 of the load-bearing belt 118according to some aspects of the disclosure extend generally downwardfrom the center of the load-bearing belt. More particularly, acenterline 58 of the side portion 122 may form at an angle with thevertical axis 56 of greater than ninety degrees. In some embodiments,the centerline 58 of the side portion 122 may form an angle with thevertical axis 56 that is greater than a lower limit angle 60, and lessthan an upper limit angle 62. Preferably, in some embodiments, the lowerlimit angle 60 may be ninety degrees, and the upper limit angle may be135 degrees. Therefore, the centerline 58 of the side portion 122 mayform an angle with the vertical axis 56 that is generally greater thanninety degrees but less than 135 degrees in order to achieve one or morebenefits to be discussed more fully. It should be understood that,although FIG. 9 illustrates the relative angular position of sideportion 122 with respect to the vertical axis 56, a centerline (notshown) of the side portion 124 of the load-bearing belt 118 may bedisposed in a similar manner with respect to the vertical axis 56. Forexample, in some embodiments the load-bearing belt 118 may be generallysymmetrical about the vertical axis 56.

In such embodiments, and particularly when worn by a female user, theload-bearing belt 118 does not provide the same drawbacks as with theconventional waistbelt 18 discussed above. For example, the load-bearingbelt 118 is secured lower on the user's hip structure than waistbelt 18such that it does not constrict a user's abdomen region and/or ribcage(e.g., the user's lowest rib 28). Rather, the load-bearing belt 118extends around the user's hip structure 32 below the user's iliac crest27 (i.e., a widest point of the ilium 26) and above the hip joint 30,and, more particularly, the load-bearing belt extends around the user'ship structure such that a top edge 134 of the load-bearing belt isdisposed below the iliac crest and a bottom edge 136 of the load-bearingbelt is disposed above the user's hip joint. In such a configuration,the load-bearing belt 118 does not constrict or otherwise contact theuser's abdomen region and/or ribcage (i.e., does not put pressure on theuser's lowest rib 28). Accordingly, such a configuration may eliminatesome of the drawbacks of the conventional waistbelt 18 discussed above.

Further, and again because the side portions 122, 124 of theload-bearing belt 118 extend around the side of a user generally at alocation below the user's iliac crest 27 but above the hip joint 30, theload-bearing belt does not destabilize the user when walking, hiking,etc., as does the conventional waistbelt 18 discussed above. Rather, theuser's pelvis is permitted to move, e.g., in its natural figure-eightmotion. This may be more readily understood with reference to FIG. 10.FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a typical male hip structure 38depicted with a representation indicating a location of the conventionalwaistbelt 18 when used by a typical male user (similar to that depictedin FIG. 7). FIG. 10 further illustrates a front view of a typical femalehip structure 32 depicted with a representation indicating a location ofthe load-bearing belt 118 when used by a typical female user. Asdiscussed in connection with FIG. 7, when a male user wears a backpack10 or the like provided with the waistbelt 18, wrapping the sideportions 22, 24 of the waistbelt around his hip structure 38 causes agenerally downward (and stable) transfer of the load from the backpackto his hips as generally illustrated by the weight transfer arrows 52.The same waistbelt 18 worn by a typical female user, however, producesdestabilizing effects (as discussed).

However, when the female wears a backpack 10 or the like provided withan embodiment of the load-bearing belt 118 as described, because theside portions 122, 124 extend generally downward (rather than generallyhorizontally or upwardly) from the back portion 120, each side portionwraps around her hip structure 32 at a location below the iliac crest 27but above the hip joint 30 as depicted in FIG. 10. Accordingly, theload-bearing belt 118 (unlike the waistbelt 18) does not sit on top ofthe female user's ilium 26 nor does the load-bearing belt have atendency to ride up to the user's natural waist during use. And becausethe load-bearing belt 118 does not rest on the top of the user's ilium26, the load-bearing belt 118 does not transfer the weight of a backpack10 from side to side when a user walks (as discussed in connection withweight transfer arrows 50 depicted in FIG. 7). Rather, the location ofthe load-bearing belt 118 (i.e., a location of side portions 122, 124below the iliac crest 27 but above the hip joint 30) transfers theweight of backpack 10 or other load provided on the user's backgenerally downward on the user's hips as illustrated by the weighttransfer arrows 150. Thus, when a female user walks, hikes, etc., with abackpack 10 or the like provided with the load-bearing belt 118, thefemale user's pelvis is no longer destabilized as it is when using theconventional waistbelt 18. Rather, the female user's pelvis isstabilized by the load-bearing belt 118 much like a typical male'spelvis is stabilized by the conventional waistbelt 18. Further, in suchembodiments, the female user's pelvis may be permitted to, e.g., move inits natural figure-eight motion. Accordingly, the load-bearing belt 118may beneficially reduce the fatigue and general “trudging” feeling atypical female user experiences when carrying a backpack 10 or otherdevice provided with a conventional waistbelt 18.

Those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, willappreciate that the load-bearing belt 118 is not confined to thespecific application as described above (i.e., use with a hikingbackpack 10). Rather, the load-bearing belt 118 may be used with a widevariety of applications where it is desirable to transfer a load to auser's hips without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Forexample, according to some aspects, the load-bearing belt 118 may beprovided on a child carrier (i.e., a device similar to the backpack 10but adapted to carry a child on the user's back). In such embodiments,the weight of a child and any other load provided on the child carriermay be beneficially transferred to the user's hip structure 32 via theload-bearing belt 118 in a similar manner as discussed. Similarly, inother embodiments, the load-bearing belt 118 may be provided on ahydration pack (i.e., a bag configured to be worn on a user's back andstore drinking water), a water belt (i.e., a belt configured to hold oneor more water bottles), a lumbar or fanny pack (i.e., a bag configuredto be worn near a user's lower back), or any other application where itis desirable to transfer a load from a user's shoulders, back, etc., tothe user's hip structure. In each application, the location of the sideportions 122, 124 of the load-bearing belt 118 may provide similarbenefits (particularly for a female user) as described above.

Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the relativedimensions of the load-bearing belt 118 may vary depending on theultimate application of the load-bearing belt without departing from thescope of this disclosure. For example, a load-bearing belt 118 adaptedfor use with, e.g., a backpack 10 or child carrier, may be generallywider (in a direction extending from a top edge 134 of the load-bearingbelt to a bottom edge 136 of the belt) than a load-bearing belt adaptedfor use with, e.g., a water belt or lumbar pack. Any other suitablemodifications may be made to the relative dimensions of the load-bearingbelt 118 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferredembodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements. Moreover, the use of “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below” andvariations of these terms is made for convenience, and does not requireany particular orientation of the components.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A load-bearing belt comprising: a back portion;and two side portions extending downward from the back portion.
 2. Theload-bearing belt of claim 1 further comprising a backpack secured tothe back portion.
 3. The load-bearing belt of claim 2, wherein thebackpack comprises a support structure, and wherein the back portion issecured to the support structure.
 4. The load-bearing belt of claim 1further comprising a child carrier secured to the back portion.
 5. Theload-bearing belt of claim 1, wherein the load-bearing belt isconfigured to be used with at least one of a water pack, a water belt,and a lumbar pack.
 6. The load-bearing belt of claim 1, wherein the backportion is configured to provide lumbar support for the user.
 7. Theload-bearing belt of claim 1, wherein when releasably secured around auser's hip, each side portion is disposed below the user's iliac crestand above the user's hip joint.
 8. The load-bearing belt of claim 1,wherein each side portion extends downward from the back portion at anangle greater than ninety degrees and less than 135 degrees with respectto a vertical axis.
 9. A load-bearing belt configured to transfer theweight of a backpack to a user's hips, the load-bearing belt comprising:a back portion configured to be disposed near a lower back of a user;and two side portions, each side portion extending from the back portionand configured to be releasably secured around a corresponding hip ofthe user when worn, wherein each side portion extends downward from theback portion such that, when releasably secured around the correspondinghip, the side portion is disposed below the user's iliac crest and abovethe user's hip joint.
 10. The load-bearing belt of claim 8 furthercomprising a backpack secured to the back portion.
 11. The load-bearingbelt of claim 9, wherein the backpack comprises a support structure, andwherein, the back portion is secured to the support structure.
 12. Theload-bearing belt of claim 8 further comprising a child carrier securedto the back portion.
 13. The load-bearing belt of claim 8, wherein theload-bearing belt is configured to be used with at least one of a waterpack, a water belt, and a lumbar pack.
 14. The load-bearing belt ofclaim 8, wherein the back portion is configured to provide lumbarsupport for the user.
 15. The load-bearing belt of claim 8, wherein eachside portion extends downward from the back portion at an angle greaterthan ninety degrees and less than 135 degrees with respect to a verticalaxis.
 16. A backpack comprising: a bag configured to house a load; asupport structure for the bag; a shoulder harness configured toreleasably secure the backpack around a user's shoulders; and aload-bearing belt configured to releasably secure the backpack aroundthe user's hips such that, when secured, at least a portion of the loadis supported by the user's hips, wherein the load-bearing beltcomprises: a back portion secured to at least one of the bag and thesupport structure and configured to be disposed near a lower back of theuser; and two side portions, each side portion extending downward fromthe back portion such that, when the backpack is releasably securedaround the user's hips, each side portion is disposed below an iliaccrest and above a hip joint.
 17. The load-bearing belt of claim 16,wherein the back portion is configured to provide lumbar support for theuser.
 18. The backpack of claim 15, wherein the at least a portion ofthe load comprises a majority of the load.
 19. The backpack of claim 15,wherein, when secured, the load-bearing belt is configured to transfer afirst portion of the load to the user's hips, wherein the shoulderharness is configured to transfer a second portion of the load to theuser's shoulders, and wherein the first portion is greater than thesecond portion.
 20. The load-bearing belt of claim 15, wherein each sideportion of the load-bearing belt extends downward from the back portionat an angle greater than ninety degrees and less than 135 degrees withrespect to a vertical axis.